Interview with Sherrise Gutierrez

​Tell us a bit about you.

My name is Sherrise and I have been a part of the San Jose DIY scene for a good chunk of my life. I have helped organize many events such as T.A.D.T (Think and Die Thinking fest), Summer of Discontent, local music shows and a few other things. I am currently a part of the South Bay DIY Zine Collective. Aside from organizing San Jose community events, I enjoy taking photos and slinging caffeine at Chromatic Coffee.

​What makes San Jose a unique place to organize?

San Jose is not an easy place to organize events. It is not a metropolis of empty warehouses or all ages spaces. Spaces are hard to come by and when they become available the community does everything to keep them going and safe and accessible to everyone. San Jose is great in that way as we protect each other and what we have. You will always have volunteers and people willing to help at any costs. Honestly, to me that's what makes us such a unique place to create.

What advice would you give to someone planning their first event or project in San Jose?

Hmmm... I would tell someone planning their first event to have wiggle room for error. No matter what the event is something is gonna happen and you need to be prepared. The worst case you'll have extra cans of nacho cheese around your house till the next food event.

So much of organizing is learning by doing. What is something you know now that you didn't know starting out?

I didn't know how much physical, mental and emotional labor go into coordinating events. Although it takes intentional energy to plan events, the outcome is far more rewarding than all of those things combined.

​​Is San Jose a "creative wasteland"?

I guess it depends on how you look at San Jose... I personally do not think so. Everyone around me is constantly creating everyday: creating art, knowledge, awareness, friendships, families! How can a place be a creative wasteland when so many individuals are creating an ecosystem by taking residence in San Jose? We exist here in San Jose and sometimes breathing is resistance. San Jose will not be a creative wasteland because I and others will not let it be.

What is one place in San Jose that inspires your creativity and why?

​Whenever I drive by, walk by, or visit a place that holds memories for me, I am inspired to do more and keep adding to my memories. I grew up in many houses on N 15th street. One in particular was my grandparents' house. I would sit on their porch with them eating my Kid Cuisines, watching my grandma heckle all the neighborhood kids as they walked past us and my Grandpa would drink his Budweiser and mumble in his southern accent things that I could never understand. San Jose is my home and I am constantly inspired by it. When I think about my experiences here, I want to do so much more for it.